Wilkes Medical Scholars Program

Additional Program Details (Subject to Change)

*Undergraduate Expectations and Requirements

Wilkes Medical Scholars are expected to finish each undergraduate semester with a GPA of at least 3.7. Single semester GPA’s lower than 3.7 will trigger an automatic review by the Committee for continuation in the program. Although there is no semester requirement for a science (BCPM) GPA, the science GPA for promotion to the College of Medicine (after three years) is 3.7.

All students must adhere to and exhibit the high moral and ethical values of one entrusted with the privilege of studying and practicing medicine at all times during their undergraduate enrollment. Failure to do so will be cause for instant dismissal from the program. Students who are dismissed or wish to leave the program may continue their enrollment at FAU provided they meet eligibility requirements. In no case may students delay their entry to the College of Medicine by more than one year.

In addition to the requirements stated above, all students are expected to participate in at least one of the following activities/experiences during each semester they are enrolled. These experiences are semester-long activities and cannot be accomplished in less time.

Mentoring from medical students and faculty in the College of Medicine

Standardized Patient Program

Thesis (current topics in biomedical field in a form suitable for puclicationin a peer-reviewed journal)

Wilkes Medical Scholar advisor will meet with the students every semester to make sure that these activities meet their satisfaction that the requirements have been met.

With the approval, students may opt to delay their entry to medical school by one year to broaden their education or personal experiences prior to entering medical school. This fourth year option is available only to students in good standing (3.7 or higher GPA). The fourth year option is not available to make up any MCAT, GPA, or coursework deficiencies. To request an extension of the undergraduate curriculum, students must present a clear, written plan of what they plan to accomplish during the additional year. In no case may students delay their entry to the College of Medicine by more than one year.

Students may not enter the Medical School in fewer than 3 years following their matriculation at Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College absent specific and prior approval from the College of Medicine Admissions Committee, after successful completion of an interview and other assessment.

The Medical Scholars Program is a “restricted” program. This means that students in the program may not apply to any other LCME accredited medical schools without permission. Students who do apply to other medical schools without permission will lose their conditional acceptance at the FAU College of Medicine (FAUCOM) and must apply as a regular applicant.

*Expectations and Requirements for Promotion to the College of Medicine

In addition to the above requirements, students must complete an application for admission to the FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine (FAUCOM). The admissions process includes completing and submitting the following:

Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.7 and a science GPA of at least 3.5 (both determined by AMCAS)

Completed applications must be submitted to AMCAS no later than October 15th.

All students will be interviewed by the Pipeline Committee to assess their personal readiness to start medical school. Interviews will be scheduled after the priamary and secondary applications (including letters of recommendation and MCAT scores) have been received by FAUCOM. As alternatives to promotion to the College of Medicine, the committee may, at its discretion, require the student to take additional year of undergraduate or graduate preparation or to dismiss the student from the program.

Once promoted to the College of Medicine, students are subject to all requirements, responsibilities and privileges as all other medical students. Among the forms that must be completed prior to matriculation are: 1) immunization form, 2) health form, 3) health/disability insurance forms, 4) Florida residency statement. All Florida residency documents must be submitted well before matriculation so that a residency determination can be made for tuition assessment. Students are eligible for the same types of financial assistance offered to all other medical students.

Wilkes Medical Scholars will be awarded their Bachelor’s degree by the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College after satisfactory completion of the requirements for the degree and after successfully completing all courses in the first year curriculum at College of Medicine. The MD degree will be awarded by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine after satisfactory completion of the MD curriculum.